Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai return for the 2026 edition of The Book Deal podcast. They reflect on their successful live podcast event with Hayley Scrivenor, their plans to spotlight debut authors, and Natasha’s upcoming panel discussion. The hosts share their personal writing journeys, including Tina’s plans following the launch of her third book in the Wilder Zoo series, Madeleine’s approach to writing her third book, and Natasha’s insights from working at a bookstore. They delve into the importance of rest, setting intentions for the year, and offer industry insights on royalty statements.

00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast
01:17 Reflecting on Last Year's Highlights
02:04 Exciting Plans for 2026
04:09 Tina's Upcoming Book Launch
09:10 Journaling and Creative Processes
20:17 Madeleine's New Creative Project
23:24 Removing Word Count Pressure
24:05 Shifting from Word Count to Time Goals
24:40 The Importance of Word Count for New Writers
25:44 Introducing Lauren Novak and Her Book 'Meltdown'
27:19 Understanding Royalty Statements
29:29 The Impact of Bookstore Discounts on Royalties
32:35 Supporting Independent Bookstores
35:34 Experiences Working in a Bookshop
38:10 The Concept of Rest and Self-Care
47:48 Setting Goals and Intentions for the Year
50:36 Conclusion and Farewell

Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love.

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You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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Hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary delve into the world of book publishing and the journey to getting a book deal. They are joined by Ruby Ashby Orr, a publisher from Affirm Press, who shares invaluable insights on how to perfect your book pitch, the importance of knowing your market, and what publishers are looking for in submissions. Ruby discusses the acquisitions process, offers tips for emerging writers, and highlights the importance of being open to feedback and collaboration in the publishing journey. The hosts also celebrate the upcoming release of Madeleine Cleary's debut novel, 'The Butterfly Women,' and prepare for a year of exciting new episodes.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Seasonal Break and Upcoming Episodes
01:55 Introducing Ruby Ashby Orr
02:31 Perfecting Your Pitch
06:41 The Importance of Research and Personalization
11:26 Pitching Events and Their Benefits
16:03 Ruby's Journey in Publishing
20:05 Understanding the Publishing Landscape
24:07 Submission Tips for Aspiring Authors
28:07 The Importance of a Detailed Synopsis
31:19 Common Mistakes Leading to Rejections
33:49 What Publishers Are Looking For
37:15 The Collaborative Editing Process
45:41 Understanding the Acquisitions Process
50:07 Top Tips for Emerging Writers
51:35 Final Advice for Debut Authors

Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love.

Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first.
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Hosts Natasha Rai delves into an inspiring conversation with emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer. Holly shares her journey from catching the writing bug through blogging to landing a book deal with HarperCollins for her debut novel 'What Did I Miss?' Holly discusses her character development process, her innovative approach to flipping rom-com tropes, and the emotional depth and rage portrayed in her novel. She also provides valuable insights and practical advice for writers on feedback, publication, and leveraging social media as an author. The episode not only explores Holly’s professional trajectory but also touches on the broader themes of female rage and the importance of community in the writing world.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Summer Season Announcement
01:52 Introducing Holly Brunnbauer
02:35 Holly's Debut Novel: What Did I Miss?
05:14 Character Development and Writing Process
22:20 Publication Journey
35:04 The Agonizing Wait
36:37 A Glut of Good News
38:04 Navigating Competitions and Grants
39:05 The Adaptable Experience
40:15 The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Book Deal
41:51 From Draft to Deal: The Timeline
43:57 The Long Wait for Publication
44:31 The Editing Process
46:11 Mastering Social Media and Branding
01:00:22 Advice for Aspiring Writers
01:03:36 Conclusion and Farewell

Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love.

Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first.
Madeleine: Subscribe here...